internment
n. C1 Advanced US //ˌɪnˈtɝnmənt// UK //ɪntˈɜːnmənt// in·tern·ment
n. the act of keeping someone in a camp or prison for a long time, often because of their nationality or political beliefs. It is usually done by a government during a war or a crisis.
n. the act of detaining a person or group in a camp or prison, typically for a prolonged period and without trial. Often associated with wartime policies or political repression.
The government's internment of Japanese citizens during the war is a controversial topic.
Historians continue to debate the legal justification for the internment of civilians during the conflict.
The policy of internment was justified by the state as a necessary measure to prevent espionage, though critics argued it was a gross violation of civil liberties.
From intern + -ment.